WHEN IT COMES to making choices, what is your decision-making process?
Do you play it safe and stick to what you know or strike out in a bold new direction? Maybe you agonise over decisions for a long time before circling back to the option you started with, wasting a whole lot of time in the process.
Choosing a new car is one of those decisions that takes a lot of deliberation. Our car can be an essential part of our lives for many of us. It’s crucial to have a reliable vehicle that will keep you safe on the road.
When deciding on a new car, many elements must be considered. Initial cost, the price of keeping it on the road, fuel and sustainability might be some of the different aspects at the forefront of your mind.
An electric vehicle is a great answer to all of those questions and more. There are so many fantastic options for EVs with 30 brands currently in the Irish market and over 70 models with more coming online.
Let’s take a look at what it means to drive electric and what benefits you’ll enjoy from purchasing an EV.
EVs come with a whole host of environmental benefits. Let’s delve into what driving electric means for the environment.
Zero tailpipe emissions mean fewer emissions per kilometre, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. Driving electric means playing your part in reducing Ireland’s emissions as a whole.
Secondly, it means that air quality in your local neighbourhood is improved, avoiding dangerous dangerous gases, such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides. By driving an electric vehicle, you can reduce the amount of these harmful gases emitted.
In Ireland, our electricity system is fuelled by a variety of sources, with some less damaging to the environment than others. At night, we rely on wind generation more prominently than other sources. By charging your EV at night, you increase the consumption of renewable energy.
If your choice is motivated by money, electric vehicles are a great best option on the market. It’s a long-running misconception that EVs are more of a hit on your wallet. In reality, the opposite is true.
EVs are currently entering the market at slightly higher price points as petrol and diesel cars (and can be offset by grants, which we’ll get to later), but the benefits of owning an EV can pay off within a number of years. This is down to a number of reasons, including repairs and tax, amongst others.
In Ireland, battery EVs qualify for the lowest tax band of motor tax. There’s also 0% benefit-in-kind rate for battery EVs up to €45,000 without mileage conditions
When it comes to NCT time for your car, you no longer have to dread the dent it will put in your pocket. With fewer components in an EV, such as a gearbox, you’re less likely to suffer from wear and tear, saving you money on costly repairs.
You can check out SEAI’s cost calculator here to compare the cost of owning an EV versus a petrol or diesel car.
Electric vehicle owners can avail of a huge amount of incentives and grants provided by the Government. The Government is aiming to have 30% of the national fleet electric by 2030 as part of the Climate Action Plan.
When purchasing a car, you can receive up to €3,500 towards a new battery electric vehicle (BEVs). A grant eligibility price cap of €60,000 applies.
When registering your vehicle, you can receive relief of up to €5,000 for BEVs from Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT).
If you’re looking to install a home charger and enjoy extreme convenience when it comes to charging your EV, you can avail of up to €300 for the installation of a home charger unit for new and second-hand BEVs or PHEVs. 80% of EVs are charged at home as it is the most convenient and most cost-effective.
Grants are accessed via the dealer but information about which vehicles are eligible and where dealers are located is available from the SEAI. You can read more information about electric vehicles and grants.
The performance of EVs is another reason to switch. A smooth drive is guaranteed, thanks to the automatic transmission, and the latest in technology makes EVs a dream to own and drive.
EVs come equipped with advanced cruise control, SatNav and Bluetooth. Heated seating and steering wheels are also frequently offered, as well as wheels with handy buttons that make life easier for the driver.
These 21st-century cars tap into smartphone apps that allow you to access the car remotely. Download the relevant app for updates on the vehicle’s charge status, to start or stop the charge when plugged into your home charge point and to enable preheating. Imagine having the car already warmed up for you on cold winter mornings, achievable with the push of a button.
With all those benefits and more, choosing electric is a no-brainer. You can join over 100,000 electric vehicles already on the road in Ireland with your next car purchase.
Visit Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) to learn more about electric vehicles and the grants available.
ZEVI has been established to support consumers, the public sector and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles.
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